Mendoza is one of the easier arrivals in Argentina. The airport (MDZ), known locally as El Plumerillo, is in Las Heras on the north side of the metropolitan area, and the ride to the centre is a short urban trip. The real decision is usually a different one: what to do when you are heading for the wineries or the mountains rather than the city.
Getting to the centre
- Taxi and remis. Both are at the terminal. A taxi runs on the meter. A remis is a car with a driver booked at a desk for a fare agreed before you leave.
- Ride-hailing apps. They operate in Mendoza. Check where the pick-up point is at the airport.
- City bus. Check on arrival whether a line stops at or near the terminal and how you pay: city buses in Argentina are normally paid with a transport card, not cash.
- Hire car. Rental desks are in the terminal. It makes sense for touring the province on your own, provided the driver skips the tastings.
- Private transfer. One vehicle for your group, with the driver waiting in arrivals.
When the city is not your destination
Many passengers land and keep going:
- Maipú and Luján de Cuyo. The nearest wine areas are south of the city, on the opposite side from the airport.
- Valle de Uco. Much further south and outside the urban area. That is a road trip, not a city ride.
- The high Andes. Potrerillos, Uspallata and the Aconcagua area lie to the west along a mountain road.
A rank taxi will not always take these trips, and an app may have no cars for the return. It is worth arranging both directions beforehand.
What to weigh up
- Time of year. At the end of summer, with the grape harvest and the Vendimia festival, the city fills up and demand for cars rises.
- Winter. The high-mountain road can close because of snow, and the pass into Chile shuts in bad weather. If you carry ski gear, say how many pieces.
- Wine. Whoever is tasting should not be driving. For a day of wineries, a car with a driver by the hour solves that.
- Groups. A sedan for up to three passengers, a minivan for six or seven, a van for eight.
Where a private transfer fits
It makes sense if you go straight to a winery or to accommodation outside the city, if there are several of you, or if you want the price settled before you travel. We follow the flight by its number. Availability in Mendoza is confirmed when you book.